Sivankutty's Intellectual Gymnastics

#Sivankutty's #intellectual #gymnastics.

When Minister V Sivankutty boldly announces that Kerala can sign a national agreement without following it, he truly breaks new ground in political comedy. Money is the main concern and not academic standard.

According to his logic, PM SHRI funding is like a buffet, that is, take the money, skip the items we don’t like.  He assures everyone that Kerala’s curriculum will remain untouched, as if the MoU is just a decorative ribbon to tie around existing practices. 

After all, this is the same education system that introduced “Party-Approved Teacher Handbooks”as it was  a proud effort to ensure that every chapter has ideological vitamins. Teachers, in return, graciously recycled these tomes into dustbin décor and silently expressed  academic creativity.

The CPI leaders clap like members of a laugh track, delighted by this new form of intellectual gymnastics. They argue that Kerala can join the scheme without joining the scheme, a Schrödinger’s Agreement, both valid and void at the same time. In their grand vision, NCERT books may arrive, but Kerala’s own ideological handbooks will remain mandatory.

With such brave innovation, Sivankutty and company are rewriting not only the curriculum but also the definition of logic by proving once again that satire is sometimes just reporting the news.

-K A Solaman

Vasavan should quit

#Vasavan should quit

Minister V.N. Vasavan seems to have taken his portfolio as “Devaswom” a little too literally, as if the gods themselves were meant to serve his convenience. Under his watch, the Travancore Devaswom Board finds itself in a golden scandal where temple ornaments apparently performed a divine metamorphosis from gold to copper! 

When the Kerala High Court takes notice and the opposition demands accountability, the minister’s only visible response is the art of denial. It seems Vasavan believes that devotion is best expressed not in service or transparency, but in silence and stubbornness. Perhaps he imagines that by ignoring the noise, the gods and the people will forgive him.

Then came the vallasadya at Aranmula, where Vasavan allegedly dined before the deity had been offered the meal, an act against conventional practice and ritual.. And if that wasn’t enough divine irony, his stoic stance behind President Murmu at Sabarimala, while she prayed with folded hands, revealed a man who could neither bow before faith nor rise to the dignity of his office. 

A minister of Devaswoms who cannot show reverence in the abode of the gods, nor responsibility in their administration, has surely lost his moral right to hold the post. It’s time for Vasavan to perform his own atonement starting with resignation.

-K A Solaman

System Failure in P2.0

#System #failure in P 2.0

The Pinarayi Vijayan government’s failure to clear a relatively small debt of ₹158 crore to medical implant distributors exposes the shocking negligence towards the state’s most vulnerable citizens. 

The government hospitals are the only hope for the poor. The poor people are forced to halt life-saving heart surgeries due to non-payment equipment suppliers to hospitals. This reflects a collapse of financial discipline and moral responsibility.

 While the government boasts of welfare schemes and social justice, patients who depend on free or subsidized treatment are left gasping for life in hospital corridors.  The surgeries are postponed indefinitely because the system cannot pay its bills.

As the LDF prepares to seek a mandate for “Pinarayi 3.0,” this situation stands as a grim reminder of misplaced priorities and arrogance in governance. A government that can spend lavishly on publicity, festivals, and unnecessary projects but fails to pay suppliers for essential medical implants shows contempt for public health and compassion. 

The poor, who trusted the state’s health system, now face unbearable agony. This is not just fiscal failure but it is moral bankruptcy at the heart of Kerala’s governance.

-K A Solaman

PM SHRI School admitted

#PM SHRI #school #admitted

The recent decision of the Kerala government to join the PM SHRI scheme, after initially opposing it, once again exposes the inconsistency and political opportunism that have become characteristic of the state’s governance.

Minister V. Sivankutty’s assurance that Kerala’s educational policy will remain uncompromised appears hollow when viewed against the government’s habitual pattern of criticizing central initiatives for political mileage and later quietly accepting them to access funds. 

This double standard reflects a lack of coherent policy vision. Instead of formulating independent, sustainable reforms in education, the government seems more focused on extracting financial benefits while maintaining a façade of ideological resistance to the Centre.

Such contradictions have weakened the credibility of the Left-led administration in Kerala. The CPI, a key constituent of the ruling front, has particularly lost its ideological clarity. They are  trying to rule and oppose all the time. 

The politics of selective resistance only exposes Kerala's dependence on central assistance for governance. While the government loudly project Kerala as a model state or even as a quasi-independent entity distinct from the Union, their inability to sustain essential programmes without central aid highlights administrative

inefficiency and fiscal mismanagement.

 This approach of opposing for politics and accepting for survival not only undermines Kerala’s governance but also erodes public confidence in its leadership.

-K A Solaman

Disregard to RTI Act

#Disregard to RTI Act.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 was enacted to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance by empowering citizens to seek information from public authorities. 

When a citizen inquires about the reason for his name being deleted from the voter’s list, it is a legitimate request for information that directly affects their democratic right to vote. Such a query cannot be dismissed by hiding behind technicalities or by quoting irrelevant definitions from the Act. 

The Public Information Officer (PIO) has a statutory duty to provide a clear and factual response, such as the official reason for deletion or the authority responsible for the action. By refusing to give this information, the officer has not only denied the citizen’s right but also shown disregard for the principles of transparency that the RTI Act upholds.

The  kind of misleading response represents a growing trend of bureaucratic evasion that weakens the RTI framework. The officer’s answer is not only evasive but also reflects ignorance or deliberate distortion of the law. 

The RTI Act never intended to allow officers to hide information by citing procedural loopholes; instead, it obligates them to assist applicants in obtaining the correct information. The citizen’s question clearly pertains to a government record, namely, the voter list and hence falls squarely within the Act’s purview. Such misuse of authority warrants disciplinary action, as it discourages public participation and erodes faith in democratic institutions. 

To preserve the sanctity of the RTI Act, erring officials who misuse their position to deny rightful information must be held accountable under the provisions of the law.

An inappropriate reply given by the Panchayat Secretary clearly undermines the very spirit and purpose of the Right to Information (RTI).

-K A Solaman

Hijab issue. lacks maturity

#Hijab #issue lacks maturity

The father’s reaction to the hijab issue at St. Rita’s Public School reflects a lack of maturity and a failure to prioritize his daughter’s education over emotional impulses. Instead of resolving the issue calmly and guiding his daughter to adapt to the school’s uniform policy he has chosen to withdraw her, citing emotional distress. 

Education is meant to prepare students to face life’s realities with discipline and understanding. If the girl is not withdrawn from the school there is possibility for father constantly finding fault with the school, whether about teachers’ remarks, marks, or other grievances. His duty as a parent is to ensure her continuity in quality education, not to politicize or dramatize a manageable situation. The new school that is going to admit the girl should be beware of her father.

Equally concerning is the conduct of the Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, whose frequent and inconsistent comments on this issue only deepen the confusion. As the head of the education department, he should maintain neutrality and uphold the institutional authority of schools rather than appear to sway with political pressure. His repeated remarks, shifting tones, and lack of firmness undermine public confidence in the education system. 

A responsible minister must offer clarity, stability, and balanced judgment, not fuel controversies through impulsive statements. Both the father’s overreaction and the minister’s inconsistency ultimately harm the broader goal of maintaining discipline, respect, and educational integrity in schools.

-K A Solaman

Hijab controversy

#Hijab #controversy

The controversy surrounding the Hijab issue at St. Rita’s School, Palluruthy, Kochi, is both unnecessary and unfortunate. Every educational institution has the right to enforce a prescribed uniform code meant to promote equality, discipline, and unity among students. The decision of the school management to restrict the use of the hijab inside the classroom, if it is part of their uniform policy, is completely within their rights and in no way discriminatory. 

Parents who admit their children to such institutions must understand and accept the rules and regulations at the time of admission. If they find the policies incompatible with their beliefs, they are free to choose another school that aligns with their preferences instead of creating conflict and disruption.

The reaction of certain political and religious outfits, reportedly forcing the closure of the school, is deeply condemnable. Education spaces should never be turned into arenas for political or communal confrontation. The alleged act of the child’s father bringing activists to threaten the school authorities is a serious breach of law and order and shows a complete lack of respect for institutional autonomy.

 Such intimidation tactics undermine the very purpose of education, that is to foster harmony, discipline, and understanding. The incident highlights the need for parents and community leaders to act responsibly and protect the sanctity of educational environments from divisive political interference.

-K A Solaman

Pepper spray to doctors

#Pepper Spray to doctors

The idea of providing pepper spray to doctors as a means of self-defense, though well-intentioned, is largely impractical. Attacks on medical professionals usually occur suddenly, leaving little time for them to use any defensive tool effectively. In the tense and chaotic atmosphere of a hospital emergency, reaching for a pepper spray and using it safely without escalating the situation is almost impossible. 

Moreover, such measures shift the burden of safety onto doctors themselves, rather than addressing the root cause of violence in hospitals. The lack of adequate security, poor crowd control, and emotional volatility of bystanders are the main reasons. for violence.. Hence, relying on pepper spray is a superficial remedy that offers more psychological comfort than real protection.

To ensure the genuine safety of doctors, more concrete and systematic measures must be implemented. Hospitals should have round-the-clock police presence or at least a rapid-response system in collaboration with nearby police stations. Security personnel trained in conflict management should be deployed in sensitive areas like casualty and intensive care units. 

Strict laws against hospital violence must be enforced swiftly to deter future assaults. Educating the public on medical ethics, treatment limitations, and patient communication can help reduce misunderstandings that often lead to aggression. Only through a combination of legal enforcement, institutional security, and public awareness can doctors truly be protected from physical harm.

-K A Solaman

The Nobel Peace Prize 2025

The #Nobel Peace Prize 2025

The Nobel Committee deserves heartfelt congratulations for awarding the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela, by recognizing her courageous fight for democracy and human rights under an oppressive regime,. 

The Committee has once again reaffirmed the true spirit of the Peace Prize by honoring those who uphold freedom, justice, and the dignity of the human spirit. Machado’s relentless struggle against dictatorship, her voice for the voiceless, and her unwavering belief in democratic values represent the highest ideals that Alfred Nobel envisioned when he instituted this award. Her recognition sends a strong message of hope to all who resist tyranny and continue to believe in peaceful change through courage and conviction.

The Nobel Committee must also be commended for maintaining its independence and integrity amid global political pressures and speculations. In a year when media attention and political campaigns attempted to steer the spotlight toward high-profile figures, including Donald Trump, the Committee stood firm on principle rather than popularity. 

By honoring Machado, they have demonstrated that the Peace Prize is not a tool of political propaganda but a moral beacon guiding humanity toward justice and freedom. This decision reinforces global faith in the impartiality and credibility of the Nobel institution, thus proving once again that truth, courage, and democracy are values worth defending above all else.

-K A Solaman

Duty of election officers

#Duty of Electoral Officers

The act of removing genuine voters, especially women, from the electoral rolls without proper verification is a serious dereliction of duty on the part of the electoral officers. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise their democratic right to vote. 

Instead, by arbitrarily striking off names from the voter list on the assumption that married women no longer reside at their ancestral homes, these officials are not only violating the principles of fairness and justice but also undermining the very foundation of democracy. Every citizen has the constitutional right to vote, and it is the moral and legal duty of electoral officers to protect, not deny, that right.

Such insensitive and bureaucratic actions reflect a lack of empathy, awareness, and professionalism among some panchayat secretaries and election officials. Denying women their voting rights without proper enquiry, even after they personally approach the officials, is cruel and undemocratic. Instead of facilitating participation, these officers are creating unnecessary hurdles and distress for voters. 

The State Election Commission and the Government must take this matter seriously, initiate strict action against the erring officials, and conduct proper training programs to make electoral officers more responsible, people-friendly, and respectful of citizens’ rights. The aim of election officials should always be to encourage voting, not to discourage voters.

-K A Solaman

Politically charged mime

#Politically charged Mime

The teachers of Kumbala Government Higher Secondary School acted responsibly and within their rightful authority by stopping the pro-Palestine mime show. At a time when India maintains a carefully balanced diplomatic stance on the sensitive Palestine issue, allowing a politically charged performance within a school setting would have been inappropriate and potentially divisive. 

Educational institutions must remain spaces for learning, not platforms for political expression or international controversies. The teachers, therefore, rightly intervened to prevent the school from being drawn into a politically motivated spectacle under the guise of art, thereby upholding institutional discipline and neutrality.

In contrast, the statement by Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty supporting the inclusion of the same mime in the State Festival is both improper and legally questionable. It undermines the authority of the school and district-level selection committees, which are the legitimate bodies to decide which performances qualify for higher-level competitions.

 Ministerial interference in such academic and artistic processes sets a dangerous precedent and risks politicizing educational events. Moreover, granting special permission to one item outside prescribed procedures could attract judicial scrutiny and erode public trust in the education department’s fairness and professionalism.

-K A Solaman

Flip-Flops of LDF

#Flip-flops of LDF

The Left Democratic Front under Pinarayi Vijayan, once boasting of reformist zeal and aggressive governance, is now visibly in reverse gear. What was once projected as bold progressive action, such as permitting women to enter Sabarimala against centuries-old traditions, has now been silently shelved for political survival. 

The same government that branded “Namajapa” protests as regressive and unlawful has now embraced the chant themselves, clearly exposing their double standards. 

From an early phase of open Muslim appeasement, the regime has now turned towards Hindu appeasement by seeking proximity to leaders like Vellappally Natesan and Sukumaran Nair, desperate to retain its footing before the 2026 elections. Such opportunistic flip-flops, rather than showing political maturity, only expose the government’s lack of vision and its obsession with securing a “Pinarayi 3.0” at any cost.

In fact, the people of Kerala continue to suffer under a regime marked by high taxation, rampant corruption, and police high-handedness. The state, under the LDF, has witnessed repeated instances of custodial torture, political violence, and the rise of goondaraj, where party-affiliated gangs operate with impunity. 

At the same time, ordinary citizens are squeezed with exorbitant taxes, backdoor appointments in government services flourish, and scams ranging from gold smuggling to KIIFB mismanagement remain unresolved. Now, the same rulers who unleashed violence and division on dissenters suddenly present themselves as peace-lovers, even convening religious summits to portray themselves as protectors of faith. 

The irony is striking: those who once wielded the stick to silence protestors now hold out garlands of harmony. For a government that has thrived on arrogance, intolerance to criticism, and misuse of power, this dramatic rebranding is  laughable.  It's certainly a retreat just to secure a few votes.

-K A Solaman